The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-05
TWENTY COUNTS.
OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF TRUE
BILLS AGAINST p. h. KALLAHER.
Indicted for Embeszling Upward of
$4,000 from the Taxing District,
Collected in His official Character as
Wharfmaster-- Startling.

II. INV iholt oltD Iio p''h AonNii III WV
rumored case OF crookedness against
Wharimastcr Pat kallaher Ii was not Of
the character londly and confidently hoped
for by his friends, but gives the man n
heavy shove toward the level of Il deep
dyed criminal. At 420 o'clock yesterday
afternoon the grand jury filed into the
criminal courtroom, amid an almost
brcathess silence. A large crowd was in
Waiting for the august body's appearance,
and whispered spcculations were rife us to
what would follow. Most OF those present
were of the friendly persuasion toward Mr.
kallaher, men who have pooh-poohed the
idea OF even the remotcst shortcomings on
his part. There was something in their
manner which seemed to ioreshadow an
outburst of joyous enthusiasm should the
report fail 10 involve the wharfmaster,
and they kept close watch on the secrc-
tary, who was armed with handful of
bills. That gentleman, after the roll was
called, in response to u summons, walked
10 the bench and handed his charge 10
Judge DuBose. Again there was silence,
while the judicial eye hastily scanned the
& feturns. Down, down into the pile he
went, until it looked either very blue for
Kallaher, or else he was ignored.
IA IL was just trying to reach the last of
thesc kallaher bills" finally said the
Nudge. Then, turning TO the newspaper
reporters present, he said "Do YOU gen
4 tlcmen Of the press want thcm2 | suppose
you do" "Wcll | should rather litter
and smile," was the responsive chorus.
The bills were handed 10 Deputy Clerk
Hunter, with instructions 10 deliver them
pbr publication, rs no harm could come,
and instantly there was u reportorial ex-
animation.
The bills, twenty-cighi in number, cover
Dol all the transactions OF Mr.. kallaher since
1880, No far ~ the grand jury could UNI
earth and fix them. Twenty-seven charge
enibezzlemcnt, based upon specific trans
actions, while the remaining one recitcs
embezzlement aud larceny. The latter
count is founded upon the collection and
alleged misappropriation Of Sl2 from the
steamer Guiding Star, at divers times.
One Of the embeElemcnt counts sums up
the whole, and places the amount of Mr..
Kallaher's shortage at $50, 600, or about
that sum, cnumeriing a number of steam
boats. bargcs, fat-boats, and other species
of river craft from which collections were
not reported.
"Wc.l. well. declare" calculated those
who had retained confidence in the wharf
master To the last. 1T is not settled yet,
and ! still believe he will be able 10 cx-
plain il away. He's got TO come back here
and face the music. II lac is not on the
incoming train tonight, some Of us will go
10 Little Rock after him
"What do you think Of his conduct -
leaving Hot Springs, usiensibly for Mem
phis. and becoming lost at Little Rockl'
Asked an APrIAL reporter Of one oi these
confident friends.
"Kallahcr is peculiar man" said he.
"Whcn he becomes worried or meets
trouble, he goes 10 drinking Generally
speaking people know little or nothing
about il, ~ hc takes In his room and re-
mains there until he sobcrs up and con
cudcs TO emerge. That's Just about what
lac did in Little Rock. The trains did not
connect. he took ona few drinks, saw he
was gone and turned into q room. Should
any one 20 over there for him. the chances
are they would look In vain for their OBJ
ject, unless they played in luck, and yet !
know he il there"
III kallahcr has gone wrong" said
another, IL will give up all the confidence
I have ever felt IN humanity. | have
known him for u long time, and never be-
iorr hal my belief in his honesty shaken.
II looks 10 unreasonable, too, when hc hns
stood 10 well in the community for yeap-
past, and spent nearly all his money in
rial estate and bank and insurance sccur'
tiles
No matter however. what his sanguinc
friends believe In the premises, Mr.. kalla.
her stands before the community ~ man
indicted for appropriating Ia his own risc
upward Of $4,000. Now, how did lac dc
Il and continue the business NJ long with
out being discovered aud punishcd2 That
lisa matter which the proof brought bcfor,
the grand jury alone can clear up. IL u
sud the investigation got down 90 rock
bottom, or went back 20 the steamer
receipts. Attorney General Peters returned
from Cincinnattiy yesterday morning, whcr'
he went to investigate ON this line. What Ia
brought back In the way Of evidence wa
Immediately placed before the grand jury
and IL was this over which that dylabon,
all during the day. Most, II not all, tn
alleged fraudulent transactions werc II
connection with Ohio river stsamboa
lines. A few Of them apply "a the Charlie
4. Chouieau, n Memphis aud New Orlcan
parkct, while others are on the MISSISSIPPI
Valley transportation company. No crook
cdncss IL charged In connection with III
Anchor line or local packets. Til
may have some significance u
the truth or iasiiy Of the charge
hut II ~ Mr. kallaher alone can max
the apIiicntion. One singular TACT oi TIA
matter II this The entire Wharfage co
lections at this port aggregate about Sl2
OoO OF this amount the lines which u
used for cmbeulcmcnt purposes pay NJ
exceeding 5000. The investigation e,
tends through n period Of seven year
which would make total Of only 81 ,WN
without any accounting whatever on III
mari Of the collector. Then, where do'
Inc balance come in7 But the bills rect
various other steamers, bargcs, ila
boats" ETC., aud Il may he tn
the officer, hitherto rcgarded ~ trus
worthy In every sense OF the word, IN
gone the way u 10 many other suppos,
good people.
should Mr.. Kallahcr return, II Is vel
likely that he will have 10 skirmish NJ
lively rate 10 make the bond, which W
hardly bc les than $4,000 Judge ID
hose was asked by the reporter what u
amount would be-, but could give no de
mite answer. I'VE must catch our bird u
fore cagng him, said lac. The statute
requirement for moderate cases II emb,
element Is, Il Is said, 5000, and Of the
there are tweniy.scycn; for embczzlcmc
and larceny Il viii probably be 5000, a
az this character there II only one. III
would make total Of $4,000.
Whcrc il Mr. kallahcri That is gu'
lion more than one person would like
have answered. few wccksago he We
20 Hot Springs, Ark, for the. reliel
said. Of inlammaiory rheumatism, IN
which hc was suffering. Ills absence j
N, a time when a demand was being ma